- By Shubham Bajpai
- Thu, 16 Oct 2025 10:23 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The ruling NDA in Bihar has announced all its 243 candidates for the upcoming assembly elections. In contrast, the opposition Mahagathbandhan is lagging. With hours left to the nomination deadline for the first phase of polling, the extensive talks failed to build consensus even on Thursday.
Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge talked to RJD supremo and former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav to break the deadlock.
The former CM, however, told Kharge and Rahul Gandhi that other allies need to be accommodated in the alliance, which he said is more important.
Congress has repeatedly argued that it has gained momentum after the Voter Adhikar Yatra and hence deserves at least 60 seats, going down by 10 from what it contested in 2020.
According to a report by The Indian Express, based on sources, VIP's Mukesh Sahni almost walked out of the alliance on Wednesday night, but the Gandhi family intervened on the last minute. Sahni has been demanding 40 seats, while reportedly, he has been offered 20 seats.
Apart from deadlock on seat distribution, there is a contention on three seats between RJD and Congress, Kahalgaon, Vaishali and Jale.
On Kahalgaon and Vaishali, Congress lost in 2020. In Vaishali, the margin was less than 7,500 votes. In Kahalgaon, RJD has promised the ticket to a Yadav candidate. It has chosen Rajnish Yadav.
RJD's move was without any consultation with Congress. On Jale, RJD is reportedly objecting to the grand old party's decision to field Mohammed Naushad Alam, the person who organised the rally where abusive slogans were raised against PM Modi and his mother in August.
As the nomination deadline is just hours ahead and the concrete plan has been chalked out, the parties will likely go on with the nomination and withdraw later as per the final agreement.